The X5 Retail Group has reported some changes to its supply chain management. The Russian food retailer is to directly import and distribute a number of product categories into its stores, according to retail.ru. The group currently distributes mostly fresh produce and confectionary to its retail outlets. Importing goods directly will eliminate the need for a distributor and will improve the group's gross margins and product quality, chief financial officer Kieran Balfe is reported to have said.
Last week the group announced a management reshuffle with Igor Sotnikov, moving from general director of the supermarket format, has been appointed director of logistics, with Valeriy Tarakanov, assuming responsibility for supermarkets. In July CEO Andrey Gusev was ousted after the group's second quarter results were announced. The decision was taken by the Supervisory Board as better results were anticipated. Stephan Ducharme, who sits on the Board, has assumed the responsibilities of chief executive for the time being. (3 Sept)
© 2012 - ESM: European Supermarket
